A fire investigation team from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will assist with the investigation into the cause of the fire, no matter what that might be, according to ATF Special Agent in Charge Terry Henderson.

Henderson said the ATF is the only federal agency tasked with investigating structure fires and arson. However, according to a news release from Windsor-Severance Fire Rescue, the department's request for assistance from the agency was not based on any speculation as to the cause but rather the magnitude of the blaze.

Chief Herb Brady said an investigation works much like medical emergency calls — investigators start with all possibilities and work backward to determine the cause.

"Any time we do an investigation, you try to make sure that you have no biases and no presumptions," Brady said. "And you try to go at it pretty methodically."

The fire at the mill was the largest the department has responded to in modern history, Battalion Chief Todd Vess said, so it asked for ATF's assistance in the investigation soon after responding to the blaze.

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A news conference with the ATF took place Tuesday morning near the mill. At the conference, Henderson said investigators will remain on scene through the coming week and possibly over the weekend. When the department will have the results of the investigation, however, is uncertain.

"It takes as long as it takes," Henderson said.

About 20 National Response Team members began on-site work Tuesday morning, according to a news release from the ATF. The investigation will include sifting through debris, reconstructing the scene, collecting evidence and conducting interviews.

Although some witnesses said they heard what sounded like explosions the night of the fire, Vess said the mini explosions could have been caused by anything in the building, especially with construction underway in the mill. The presence of construction material also is one reason the department is being cautious in its continued battle with the fire, Vess said. Firefighters continue to fight hot spots that rise from the ashes.

"The last thing we want is anyone to get hurt on this," he said.

Vess said he hopes the fire will be out completely in the next few days.

The mill was going through extensive renovation, led by Blue Ocean Inc. The business has said it remains committed to the project and it will continue to consider options as more information becomes available.

Windsor Mayor Kristie Melendez said Tuesday the town, which previously pledged a $3.7 million development incentive package in conjunction with the Windsor Downtown Development Authority to the project, also remains committed in its support of Blue Ocean's redevelopment of the site. No taxpayer dollars have been spent, Melendez said.

Kelly Unger, assistant to the town manager and the Windsor Planning Department, said the agreement with the town called for town fees being waived for the project — $12,237 for the building permit fee, $13,685 commercial electrical fee and the $7,954 plan review fee.

Kelly Arnold, Windsor town manager, said after the conference that a new project at the site — whatever form it may take — will have to come before the town board again for the discussion of a new incentive package.

"It was a very project-specific incentive and performance-based, so they would have to show what the project is and what the performance would be in the proposal," Arnold said.

The Windsor Police Department will continue to provide scene security, said Windsor Police Chief Richard Klimek, because of the dangerous nature of the continuing hot spots. Some off-duty officers have been called in to help and the Colorado Rangers are assisting, Klimek said.

Klimek said the department also will help the ATF gather information, such as videos and eyewitness statements.

"So when somebody calls in a lead we'll assist in tracking them down," he said.

On Monday afternoon, Brady said the ATF's presence also will allow the fire department to continue responding to daily calls in the community. Vess said the department has three additional staff and volunteers on hand at all times to help watch the fire and battle hot spots.